Optimal Impact

Formed: 1998From:
Calgary, Alberta,
CanadaLast Known Status: Active

Background

Optimal Impact was formed in 1998 by T.J. Clarke and Brad Cronk. In 1999 due to a need to pursue other interests the group lost their original singer and drummer and started to search for replacements. T.J. and Brad had met Mike Parkinson in a local coffee shop and were aware that he had many years of experience as a touring and recording artist and asked him to join. Shortly after that Brad was introduced to Johnny Sweet by a co-worker. The very energetic and charismatic Johnny Sweet joined the band in September of 1999. Optimal Impact has been performing at Calgary nightclubs with this lineup since that time. In the spring of 2000 the group decided it was time to record their debut CD. They had more than enough material and the time was right. Legendary singer and producer Billy Cowsill (Hair, Love American Style) had heard the group perform at an outdoor street festival in 1999 and had loved what he heard. When approached by Optimal Impact to produce the CD he was more than happy to accept. Billy Cowsill has also produced and written with Colin James and Murray MacLaughlin and was nominated for a Juno Award in 1995. After 9 months and a lot of trials and tribulations Optimal Impact's CD "Sun Sittin'" was released on November 1, 2000 on Thunder Records (an independent label owned by the group). When asked by the group while in the studio what kind of music we were recording, Billy Cowsill's response was "surf metal man!"